Paid parking back in Chandigarh, you pay double from September
From next week, all lots to go paid with MC giving contract for Rs 14.8 crore
All 26 parking lots in the city will go paid sometimes next week with the municipal corporation finally succeeding in giving out a contract. Of the 26 lots, only three are currently functioning under a contractor. So, parking is expected to be streamlined a little with the old rates of Rs 2 per entry for two-wheeler and Rs 5 per entry for cars to continue till August-end.
From September 1, the rates will double to Rs 10, even as time is shortened to just four hours and not per entry for cars. Additional charges of Rs 5 per two hours will be levied. Two-wheelers will be charged Rs 5 per entry valid for four hours and an additional Rs 5 per two hours after that. Interestingly, the contracts had not been given for a year, causing a loss of Rs 5 crore to the exchequer.
Mumbai-based company Arya Toll Infra Ltd has bagged the contract for one year at Rs 14.8 crore against the reserve price of Rs 4 crore. The agency has promised smart parking system.
Previously, the MC’s revenue from the contract had never crossed Rs 4 crore for the year.
In its presentation to the MC before bagging the contract, the company said it will launch an App to let residents know the status of parking availability in real time. It also proposed that residents be given the facility to prepare smart rechargeable cards for entering the lots at e-sampark centres.
Previously, the MC’s revenue from the contract had never crossed Rs 4 crore for the year.
HOW DOES IT AFFECT YOU?
With parking contractor set to take charge by next week, staff will again be deputed at the lots that were unmanned, perhaps helping the residents. However, the increased rates after September will pinch.
OFFICE-TIME PARKING AT Rs 40 UP 8 TIMES
Your parking bill will go up steeply, in fact eight times from now. Under the new rates, parking from 9am to 6pm in the city will cost Rs 40. From 9am to 1pm, the charges will be Rs 10. Then, with charges set at Rs 10 for the next two hours each, the parking bill at 6pm will come out to be Rs 40. For two-wheelers, the daily charges for the same nine hours will be Rs 20. There is the provision of monthly SSS passes that will cost Rs 700 a month at a single parking lot. The monthly passes for two-wheelers will be Rs 250. The added convenience and time saved in finding space for parking, if it happens, will be mitigating factors.